Act 2, Scene 25

NYU campus in the small hours of the morning. A darkened laboratory inside. A figure is bent over a large machine while it whirrs and hums. A shaft of light coming in from the reflective surfaces reveals it to be Dr. Connors, Peter's professor at NYU, pulling some serious overtime. He murmurs to himself as he works.

A noise from behind him. His hand drops to below the table, and we drop down too to see a handgun has been affixed there.

SPIDERMAN: Dr. Connors?

CONNORS: Who's there?

A black-clad finger flicks a lightswitch, and Spiderman is revealed. Connors takes in his appearance and his costume change in a brief pause.

CONNORS: The police can be here in four minutes.

SPIDERMAN: I can be gone in four seconds, Doc. Don't bother.

CONNORS: What do you want?

SPIDERMAN: You seem very jumpy, Doc. Had any visits from any other costumed freaks recently?

CONNORS: That's none of your concern.

SPIDERMAN: Wrong. I need to know what he came for and what he got. Relax, I'm just asking for your help here.

But his body language is wrong. It's threatening. Spiderman shouldn't scare us, but now...he does. He moves like a predator as he takes a few steps toward us, waiting for Connors to make his move.

CONNORS: Ask somewhere else. I have my own work to do - I don't have time for this. Get out of here or I'll call the police, four seconds or not.

He turns his back and resumes his work at the machine. There's silence from behind him. After a few seconds he turns back. Spiderman is gone. He breathes a sigh of relief and turns back to the machine - and looks directly into Spiderman's upside-down face, suspended from the ceiling directly in front of him.

SPIDERMAN: You're not the only one pressed for time.

CONNORS: (angrily) Get out!

He backs away toward the phone on the wall. Spiderman releases the webline holding him from the ceiling, flips himself upright and sends one precise web-bullet to the phone, smashing it to pieces. Connors' eyes widen in fear and he turns to run. In an instant Spiderman is upon him, pushing him to the nearest table. A glass beaker tumbles off and smashes. Connors is pinned.

CONNORS: Just...asking, huh?

SPIDERMAN: Want me to insist?

We pan down a little to see Connors remaining hand. It clenches, and as we watch, turns a shade of green. The skin runs together into what look like the beginnings of scales. Connors trembles, and closes his eyes, forcing himself to breathe. The hand reverts back to normal. Spiderman sees none of this transformation. Looking terrified at the prospect of losing control - and perhaps seeing the transformation continue beyond his hand - Connors' shoulders slump and he relents.

CONNORS: What is it you want me to do…